PIA Press Release2006/10/10

RP joins worldwide outcry vs. North Korean nuclear test

Manila (10 October) -- The Philippines joined today the worldwide outcry against North Korea's nuclear weapons test, saying it posed "not only a threat to peace and stability in the Korean peninsula but to regional and global security" as well.

In her opening statement before convening the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) and National Security Council (NSC) meeting at Malacaņang's Aguinaldo State Dining Room this morning, the President said North Korea's nuclear test on Monday was a Damocles Sword that hangs over "East Asia, threatens regional integration and places the prosperity of all peoples in this part of the world at risk."

She stressed that Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions put freedom at risk, and the Philippines "within striking distance" of a North Korean nuclear weapon.

"We join the rest of the world in urging the leadership of the North Korean government to drop its continuous development of weapons of mass destruction and shift its focus on regional collaboration rather than intimidation," the President said.

She pointed out that as a peace-loving nation, the Philippines abhors nuclear arms. "Nuclear weapons have no more place in a shrinking world that places a premium on understanding and harmony where our overriding interest is the pursuit of world peace, the resolution of economic imbalances and the global fight against poverty," she added.

The President said she hoped the United Nations (UN) Security Council would be able to resolve the issue and convince North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program.

"We hope and pray that the UN Security Council will come up with the best way to finally convince North Korea to drop its nuclear weapons project," she said. (PIA-MMIO) [top]